Mr Seth Austin Woods, a machinist mate fireman from Tennessee, is currently in the custody of local US Navy officials, said Lieutenant-Commander Arlo Abrahamson, spokesman for the US 7th Fleet in Singapore.

The Straits Times understands that he found his way to the US embassy in Napier Road.

Lieutenant-Commander Abrahamson added in a statement on Friday that the US Navy will fully investigate the reasons why Mr Woods, 18, went missing.

However, he declined to reveal any details of disciplinary or administrative actions associated with the navy's service members.

He said: "The US Navy thanks local Singapore law enforcement authorities for their assistance in locating the missing service member."

According to Reddit user jms428, who claimed to be Mr Woods' cousin, the sailor disappeared on Monday near a 7-Eleven store during his submarine's routine crew rest in Singapore.

The Straits Times

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